1952 Federal 45M Truck Tractor, Used by Cole's Express
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When this truck was new, about 120,000 tractor-trailers traveled the roads. By 2000, there were over two million. New interstate highways helped long-haul trucks dominate the freight business. Americans developed a romantic image of truckers as modern cowboys roaming concrete trails, speaking their own language on CB radios. Drivers became heroes of movies and music. But real truck driving is demanding, sometimes dangerous, and often boring work.
When this truck was new, about 120,000 tractor-trailers traveled the roads. By 2000, there were over two million. New interstate highways helped long-haul trucks dominate the freight business. Americans developed a romantic image of truckers as modern cowboys roaming concrete trails, speaking their own language on CB radios. Drivers became heroes of movies and music. But real truck driving is demanding, sometimes dangerous, and often boring work.
Artifact
Truck tractor
Date Made
1952
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
88.381.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Galen L. Cole.
Material
Metal
Rubber (Material)
Glass (Material)
Color
Orange (Color)
Black (Color)
Inscriptions
Painted on cab doors: Coles / No. 160 / ICC93682 On hubcaps: Federal Hood: Federal hood ornament Sides of hood: Federal decal
Specifications
Make & Model: 1952 Federal 45M truck tractor
Maker: Federal Motor Truck Company, Detroit, Michigan
Engine: inline-6, L-head valves, 427 cubic inches
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Height: 10 feet
Width: 8 feet 1 inches
Wheelbase: 197 inches
Overall length: 25 feet 2 inches
Horsepower: 127 at 2600 revolutions per minutes
Weight: 10,900 pounds
Pounds per horsepower: 85.8
Price: $6,027
Average 1952 wage: $3,660 per year
Time you'd work to buy this truck: about 1 year, 7 months
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